In a letter addressed to Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine affirmed that the United States military has no plans to place federal troops or National Guard units at polling locations for the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections.
Letter assures voters and lawmakers
Gen. Caine wrote, “The Joint Force has no plans to send Federal military personnel or Federalized members of the National Guard to polling places during the 2026 elections,” and added that there is likewise no intent to seize ballots, voting machines, or any election‑related material.
The statement was prompted by concerns raised by Sen. Slotkin, who asked both Gen. Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to confirm that the Trump administration would not involve the military in the electoral process.
Legal limits and past precedent
Federal law permits the deployment of armed federal forces to election sites only when it is “necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.” Historically, the military has remained apolitical, a principle reiterated by former Chairman Gen. Mark Milley in 2020 when responding to a similar inquiry.
Sen. Slotkin has warned that the president has previously suggested using the military to claim election fraud and has deployed National Guard units and active‑duty Marines in states led by Democratic officials, actions that have heightened anxiety among Democrats.
Administration’s response
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has denied any plan to use the military to suppress voting. Defense Secretary Hegseth has not yet replied to the senator’s request for a written confirmation.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the status of Hegseth’s reply.
What this means for voters
With the assurance that the armed forces will not be present at polling places, voters can focus on casting their ballots without fear of military interference. The clarification also underscores the administration’s commitment to a peaceful, orderly election process, respecting the Constitution’s guarantee of free and fair voting.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
